If you enjoy gambling, do you think you commit a sin or feel guilty about it?

Hi Ubetcha. Interesting question and topic.

I do not feel guilty about gambling, nor do I feel that gambling is a sin. However, I can only speak for myself on this topic, as I cannot judge anyone else, and each person knows in their own heart if this is a problem for them or not.

I know we can justify away anything we might feel is "wrong," but I truly do feel that I need forms of entertainment, and I don't go out drinking or dancing or even dining very often anymore. My only real forms of entertainment are movies at home, music, the occasional concert, books, and family gatherings.

I rarely spend money on frivolous items. SO....as long as I am gambling within my means, I stick to my set amount under my "entertainment fund" which is, frankly zero some months, then I am all good. I promised myself that I will NEVER take such funds out of my family money, either, like rent, food, bills, etc. I squirrel away small amounts to use at the land casino, I have my set amount for online gambling, and in between I will play free tournaments or cards to get my "fix," if I feel I need one, lol. I don't go to the land casino very often at all, either, so when I do, I have no worries or guilt about going. It is one of my rare "treats."

Now, if I overdid it and spent more than was within my means, if I went with the mindset that I was going to win all the time or even get paid back (we have all heard the horror stories about someone chasing that dragon), then I would definitely feel guilty about doing that.

I like depositing in the online casino, knowing that amount will last me a very long time, as I can sign in and out as I have time, as I feel I need a little break or a little entertainment, and I like to think I play that money wisely and slowly.

How do you feel about your little "guilty pleasure," Ubetcha? lol! 😉

I do not feel guilty. I am not hurting anyone. I give back to people when I can. It's a form of entertainment.

I do not feel guilty about it at all. In fact, I view gambling as a hobby of mine; one that I love to participate in and research.

I respect those whose opinion is that gambling is immoral, but I do not agree with it, and I do not allow their thinking to influence my feelings on any issue let alone this one.

Gambling is not a sin or immoral in my eyes.

Ubetcha wrote:

I'm not going to lie.. I feel guilty at times! I think it was my upbringing when I was growing up. My parents were retired school teachers and devoted Catholics. And now I hardly go to church..

Ubetcha, I believe that our Maker knows our heart, so do not feel bad about "hardly" going to church. Judging from your posts, you do a lot of good in the world. As long as everything is in moderation, you should not deny yourself a little guilty pleasure now and then, lol. JMHO. 🙂

Ubetcha wrote:

I'm not going to lie.. I feel guilty at times! I think it was my upbringing when I was growing up. My parents were retired school teachers and devoted Catholics. And now I hardly go to church..

Going to church does not make a person good. Going to church gives the appearance that someone is good. You can be a good person, like you, helping the hungry and not go to church. Some of the most hypocritical people I have know have professed to be "church going people". I found them to be intolerable of anyone else's beliefs They were judgmental and uncaring. I'm not saying everyone I know who goes to church is that way but a lot are. They sin just like anyone else and when they are done sinning they go back to church and get forgiven.

My ex mother-in-law is a church goer. She is one of the few people I know who treats others as she would like to be treated. She is very giving and caring. She is in her 90's now. I have only heard her say one curse word in the entire time that I've known her and that was when she slipped and fell. I'm sure she doesn't approve of gambling but she would never judge me to even tell me that.

What if a person gambles and gives all the winnings to charity? Does that mean that person is bad or good?I don't think people are all good or all bad. I think most of us are human and have both good and bad qualities in us, some more than others. 🙂 I think all we can really do is follow our conscience and try to bring something good to the world.

There is absolutely no way I feel guilty about gambling. I know the risks involved and like Hope said I have limits and I stick to them. I can't see how gambling responsibly with your own money on your own time affects anyone else whatsoever. I am not a religious man though, so I don't have that to reconcile with.

However - and I am not saying this applies to anyone who has posted here - a feeling of guilt may indicate a gambling problem if the guilt stems from the knowledge that you are playing with money you can't afford to lose, or you're putting off time with your family to gamble instead, or any number of other non-religious reasons. If you think your guilt originates from something like that then I would encourage you to read some information from a gambling support group like GA or GamCare. You can check out our page on problem gambling too.

CL-Ed wrote:

There is absolutely no way I feel guilty about gambling. I know the risks involved and like Hope said I have limits and I stick to them. I can't see how gambling responsibly with your own money on your own time affects anyone else whatsoever. I am not a religious man though, so I don't have that to reconcile with.

However - and I am not saying this applies to anyone who has posted here - a feeling of guilt may indicate a gambling problem if the guilt stems from the knowledge that you are playing with money you can't afford to lose, or you're putting off time with your family to gamble instead, or any number of other non-religious reasons. If you think your guilt originates from something like that then I would encourage you to read some information from a gambling support group like GA or GamCare. You can check out our page on problem gambling too.

Agreed 100%. I know that if I feel guilty about something, more than likely what I am doing is either wrong or excessive. That is my barometer on my actions a lot of the time.

Also, on the "sin" side of things: If I have to atone for everything I have done that is not the best, I am sure that gambling will be far down on that list!

Ed and Slim,

I think you both have a good point. When we feel guilty, it is our conscience trying to get our attention. Can we feel guilt though when not living up to someone else's expectations and actually not be doing anything wrong?

Definitely. I can see how you could feel guilty if you knew that you were doing something that someone you respected or cared about did not approve of. Even if there is nothing wrong with what you are doing.

I'm not the type of person to care much about what others think of me though, so I'm not one to worry much about things like that.

CL-Ed wrote:

Definitely. I can see how you could feel guilty if you knew that you were doing something that someone you respected or cared about did not approve of. Even if there is nothing wrong with what you are doing.

I'm not the type of person to care much about what others think of me though, so I'm not one to worry much about things like that.

The older I get, the less I care about what other people think of me.

LuckyMe wrote:

The older I get, the less I care about what other people think of me.

I feel the exact same way! 😜